Basses with series/parallel switches

[drTSTingray]

Which begs the next question: "Those who HAVE the series/parallel option, which side do you generally stick with?"

My #1 has been a G&L L2K for 18 years now and I almost never switch to parallel.

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I have a Stingray 5 and often use it in parallel mode - it produces the classic Stingray sound like that - the series setting gives the mids a bump and sounds more towards a Fender sound IMO.

Stingray 5s, whether ceramic or alnico and U.S. Sterlings - all with single H pick up have the switch - it's give three distinct variants which in combination with your finger placement and intensity and the 3 band EQ makes for a very versatile bass.

Gratuitous photo .........

 

[TonyP-]

I had my Lulls set up with rotary switches instead of pan pots with series parallel

 

[danalogue]

Here's my jazz. Volume, tone, series parallel switch. Easy mod.

 

[40Hz]

Two pickups - two switches.
One switch for each pickup.
e.g. neck pickup parallel & bridge pickup series or neck single coil & bridge parallel or neck series & bridge single coil etc., lots of options.

I had the same switches on my Modulus Q5 that I stupidly sold quite a few years ago. It also had two pickups and two switches.

Thanks. I was wondering.

Question: when switching between series and parallel do you mean the coils within a single pickup are what gets switched - or that the two pickups are put in series or parallel with each other?

Because if it's the second, only a single DPDT would be needed. Which is why I got confused.

I generally use this schematic by Roger Placer as a starting point when I'm thinking about switching. This layout lets you switch the the coils of two split-coil pickups independently in any combination (single top/both/single bottom coil); switch between them both (neck/both/bridge pickup ); and put them in series or parallel with each other. It also provides independent volume controls plus a master volume.

It wouldn't be much mental effort to add a phase switch, tone stack, or capacitor switching (i.e. "varitone") if you felt they were needed.

All in all, a pretty cool bunch of options using only 4 switches. Check it out:

Link Removed

 

[tombowlus]

Question: when switching between series and parallel do you mean the coils within a single pickup are what gets switched - or that the two pickups are put in series or parallel with each other?

It seems that some folks are speaking about the first, and some about the second. Both are great tools, and some basses (like the Dingwall Z2 and Z3) offer both options.

 

[MVE]

Yep, there aren't many, but it's a super easy mod with a single pot change or addition of a switch. It's a very useful mod for any J-bass as it brings in a tone very similar to a p-bass. Not so useful on a P-bass. On a MM style pickup some folks like it, but I've not got one so I'll leave it to them to answer.


Actually, the Peavy "mystery" switch is a in/out of phase switch that only works when both pickups are on.

Welcome to Talkbass!

Yes, my Jbass has a series switch.
Just as you described a more p (like) tone, but not really. It's a full round sound without the mids of a good Pbass. Useful, but not as useful as a genuine Pbass pickup as it doesn't cut like a Pbass.

 

[Eilif]

Anyone ever tried a series/paralel switch that ties together the pups on on a P/J instrument

That's where I'd like to slightly say no to your assumption that this option is not so useful on a P bass: on the opposite I really think it to be more efficient on a Precision bass to offer a completely different sound.

Cheers,
Wallace

PS: former Ibanez Atks had this option too. They offered a bridge triplecoil pickup workin' like this: three position switch which, in front option, had front and center coils in series mode with highcut filter (sort of an ash Precision with rolled off tone) center position with front and center coils in series mode with no filter (sort of an ash Precision with rolled on tone) and rear position with front and rear coils in parallel.

Wow, I'd have to hear the Edwards some time. I played a bunch of the S1 equipped P-basses back in the day and the switch always felt to me like a "suck-switch" that took the tone from rather nice to poop. I should say though that aside from the fender's my only other experience with a similarly equipped P-style bass was an 80's Matsumoku something or other, so I concede that there may be precision bases that it works on.

As for the ATK, I always liked their switching abilities, especially on the higher end models. Had a chance to play what I think was an old USA custom shop once and it was pretty amazing.

 

[jassthebass]

Would it be wired up like normal single coil pickups? Im sure the p bass pickup on my yamaha bb was held together by magnets?

I'm not sure about the P/Us in P-basses (Perhaps a split coil could be considered a humbucker ?). Yes I believe it's all in the wiring - in my Jazz's case a pair of normal single coil P/Us (from Bare Knuckle)

 

[caligula]

Thanks. I was wondering.

Question: when switching between series and parallel do you mean the coils within a single pickup are what gets switched...

It's exactly that.
I've heard both versions, coils in a given pickup are switched single coil / parallel / series as well as two separate pickups switched from parallel to series.
My Lefay fretless 5 has 3 single coils and a pickup sw itch that puts the last two pickups into parallel or series, especially the latter sounds great.

I like both versions, but favour the first due its flexibility.

 

[Eilif]

Yes, my Jbass has a series switch.
Just as you described a more p (like) tone, but not really. It's a full round sound without the mids of a good Pbass. Useful, but not as useful as a genuine Pbass pickup as it doesn't cut like a Pbass.

That's true, nothing is quite like a good Pbass pickup. Still a very useful switch. I'd never replace a pot with a swtich though as I like being able to adjust each pup's level individually. A push/pull pot is a better option in my opinion.

My Jazz is particularly p-ish in the Series mode, but that's probably because I've got Model J's in there. They're a pretty thick sounding J, though in parallel you don't get quite the same snap of traditional single-coil J pups.